in full Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius
born Sept. 19, 86, Lanuvium, Latium
died March 7, 161, Lorium, Etruria
Roman emperor (AD 138–161).
Of Gallic origins, he served as consul (120) before being assigned judicial administrative duties in Italy. He later governed the province of Asia (с 134). He became an adviser to Hadrian and in 138 was made Hadrian's heir. On accession he had the deceased emperor declared a god; for such dutiful acts he was named Pius ("Pious"). He quelled rebellions in Britain and other provinces and built the Antonine Wall .
Antoninus Pius, marble bust; in the British Museum.
Reproduced by courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum